Paint-can



N H E U K W M M m PAINT CAN.

No. 294,790. Patented Mar. 11, 1884.

FIG-l.

FIG. &.

N. PETERS. Pllalo-lxlhngmphon Washmglon. D. c,

' ArENr Fries.

\VILLIAM KUEHN, OF' CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PAINT-CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 294,790, dated March 11, 1884.

Application filed January 21, 1984. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM KUEHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paint-Cans, of which the following is specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a collapsible paint can or vessel capable of containingamoderate quantity of color-sa from one to five pounds-thereby rendering the can especially convenient for sign and ornamental painters, 8:0. The can or vessel is composed of a pair of sheet-metal halves or shells, each of which is struck up so as to have preferably an elliptical form and properly dished or concaved. Consequently, when these two shells are soldered or seamed together at their margins, an egg-shaped can is produced, that is readily and conveniently grasped for the purpose of ejecting the paint or other contents therefrom, which discharge tak es place through a suitable neck located at or near one end of said vessel. Of the above-described shells one is made of comparatively thick or rigid metal, while the other shell is composed of relatively thinner or more flexible material capable of being readily collapsed. P By this arrangement the thick or rigid metal preserves the proper form of vessel and allows the can to be refilled after having been emptied of its contents, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an axial section, showing the two component members of my collapsible paint-can detached from each other. Fig. 2 is asectionized side elevation of the complete can filled with paint. Fig. 3 is a sectioni'zed'front elevation of a modified form of an empty can. Fig. 4. is a vertical section, showing the can in the act of being compressed or collapsed for the purpose of ejecting the paint therefrom.

' Referring to Fig. 1, A represent-s what may be termed the rigid half or shell of the can or vessel, as said member is composed of sheet metal that is too thick orstiff to be readily bent by hand. This rigid half is struck up in a press or other forming-machine, so as to have a substantially elliptical shape, and is dished or concaved to any suitable depth.

13 represents the compressible or yielding half or shell of the vessel, which half is practically of the same shape as the other member, A, but is made of relatively thinner or more flexible sheet metal, in order that itmay be readily flattened by hand. "When these two shells or halves are brought together and suitably soldered or seamed at their margins, as shown at C in Figs. 2 and 4, an egg-shaped vessel is produced that is free from angles or sharp edges, and is conveniently grasped by hand. a

As some provision must be made for filling the can and allowing the paint to be expelled therefrom, I make use of a cap, D, adapted to fit snugly on a neck, E, which latter is soldered to the'rigid half A, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4; or this neck E may be integral with the shell A and be closed with an ordinary cork or other stopper; but in Figs. 2 and 3 the cap D is engaged with a screw-threaded neck, E, of head F, said head being soldered to one end of the can A B.

In Fig. 3 the can is shown provided with a tail-piece, G, through which the charge of paint is forced into the vessel. The can seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 is filled through the neck, a small hole being madein the opposite end of the vessel to permit the escape of air, which hole is closed with solder as soon as the can is completely charged; but the can represented in Fig. 3 is filled through the tubular tail-piece G, while the air escapes at the neck This tail-piece is then folded or crimped back on itself, so as to afford a tight unsoldered joint, that effectually prevents the accidental escape of paint. \Vhichever construction is adopted, it is evident the thin or collapsible shell B allows the can to be compressed so as to eject the paint therefrom as soon as the cap D or D is detached from the neck E or E. If the paintis quite thin, the can is readily compressed with one hand; but when the color is thick or turgid both hands may be necessary.

. The shape the vessel assumes while being collapsed orsqueezed is seen in Fig. 4, reference to which illustration shows that the thin shell or half B is pressed down till it comes in close contact with the interior of the more rigid shell or half A, thereby forcing every particle of paint or other fiuid out of said can. Conseqnently, when the canis completely emptied, it will be of precisely the same shape as the shell A, the concavity thus afiorded serving as a convenient cup or saucer in which to mix the colors, provided it is not desired to use the vessel again; but if the can is to be refilled it is accomplished as previously described, the thin shell 13 assuming its normal shape as soon as paint is again forced into the vessel. From this description it .is apparent that the thick shell A serves as a rigid bearing against which the yielding shell 13 is compressed, and also acts as a stiflener that causes the can to preserve its elliptical outline both when empty and-filled; finally, it is not intended to adhere to the exact shape and proportions of the can herein shown and de- 7 scribed, as my invention includes any paint can or similar vessel that is composed of one comparatively rigid shell, and another relativelyyielding shell capable of being Compressed into the former, for the purpose described.-

I claim as my invention- 1. A paint can or vessel composed of a pair of dished shells united at their margins, and provided with a suitable outlet, one of said shells being relatively more compressible than the other, for the purpose herein described.

2. A paint can or vessel consisting of a pair of dished shells of approximately elliptical form united at their margins, and provided with a suitable outlet, one of said shells being relatively more compressible than the other, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I ai'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VIIJLTA ill KUEHX. 

